Non-Sock Patterns for Sock Yarn

Yesterday, my internet friend and colleague Carrie said something to the effect of “Now I just need to learn to knit socks so I can buy Georgia’s yarn!” Hmmm… I thought. Yes, it’s sock yarn, and it’s intended for socks. But there are lots of great patterns designed for fingering weight yarns (which is the category that sock yarn generally falls into) that are not socks! And really, some of them are super easy.

If you’re on Ravelry, you can find some great non-sock patterns by going into patterns and using the pattern browser. Select fingering weight and whatever non-sock categories you’re interested in. An entire cornucopia of patterns will magically appear!

Among the easiest and most useful are cowls (aka neckwarmers). My favorite cowl pattern is the Gloria Cowl. It is a super-easy pattern that’s suitable for beginners and very pretty, especially in semi-solid colorways. Now, granted it uses doubled sock yarn, so it could also be made in worsted weight yarn, but still a great use for sock yarn.

norwegian baby cap

The Norwegian Baby Cap is also a great use for sock yarn, and so pretty! I happen to have a little niece due in April, and I think that I will add this to my to-knit list.

If you’re not afraid of colorwork, Eunny Jang’s Endpaper Mitts are absolutely beautiful and would look very nice with one main solid color and a variegated hand-dyed used for the patterning. These particular mitts are high on my knitting queue and I already have the yarn saved out for them. I haven’t done colorwork before, but having learned to a reasonable degree how to knit continental, I think I can take it on.

Other non-sock patterns for sock yarn that I found interesting: Magic Baby Slippers, Lace Ribbon Scarf, Broad Street Mittens, Gathered Scarf,  Henry Scarf.